Degenerative myelopathy (DM)
Description
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a condition of the spinal cord. In many breeding programmes approved by DWV, a DNA test for the variant SOD1: c.118G>A is mandatory or recommended, from birth and once; for example mandatory for the German Shepherd, the Boxer and the Chihuahua. For the Bernese Mountain Dog a DNA test for a second variant of the same gene is added (SOD1: c.52A>T).
Inheritance pattern
Autosomal recessive, according to the breeding programme. A carrier has a 50% chance of passing the variant on to its offspring; an affected dog passes it on to all its offspring. In most breeding programmes the breeding advice is positive when at least one parent dog is clear; the other combinations are subject to a breeding ban.
Breeds in which this condition occurs
We are rebuilding the health information for each breed from the official breeding programme of Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). Until then, you can find the mandatory and recommended health tests for this breed in the breeding programmes under the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). View the official breeding programmes
